What is the University doing?

The University of Edinburgh has become the first higher education institution in the UK adopt a formal conflict minerals policy.

The University's policy, which was passed on 1st March 2016 by the University’s Central Management Group, is a commitment to working towards eradicating Conflict Minerals from the goods bought by the University. This is done by investigating suppliers’ efforts to combat conflict minerals and requesting evidence of any actions and outcomes. As well as embedding this commitment across the University, we will work collaboratively with procurement consortia and the wider public sector.

The policy also includes a commitment to developing further academic research and learning about Conflict Minerals. This research may help inform purchasing options. This multi-faceted strategy is part of the University’s Living Lab approach to problem solving, aiming to further the institution’s knowledge and action in the area of conflict minerals. Findings and best practice will be shared with other institutions.

Read the policy

What do I need to do?

University staff who want to purchase electronics good should consider the risk that their purchases might contain conflict minerals. The best way to comply with the University’s new policy is to purchase goods via a centrally approved channel or supply contract (e.g. via PECOS (secured)).

The University of Edinburgh

The University of Edinburgh is a charitable body, registered in Scotland, with registration number
SC005336, VAT Registration Number GB 592 9507 00, and is acknowledged by the UK authorities as a
“Recognised body” which has been
granted degree awarding powers.